Questionnaire Design

Questionnaire Design

1. Steps in the questionnaire design process

   • Specify information sought
   • Determine survey method and questionnaire
   • Determine content of questions
     • Survey Question Necessary
     • Several Questions Needed Instead of One
     • Respondents have the Necessary Information
     • respondents give the information freely and accuately
   • Determine form of response
     • Open-ended response questions
       • Advantages
       • Disadvantages
     • Fixed-alternative questions
       • Advantages
       • Disadvantages
       • Simple-dichotomy questions
       • Determinant-choice questions
       • Frequency-determination questions
       • Attitude rating scales
       • Checklist questions
   • Determine wording of question
     • complex language
     • leading and loaded questions
     • ambiguity
     • double-barreled questions
     • burdensome questions
   • Determine sequence of questions
     • Maintain cooperation and involvement
     • Reduce order bias
       • Anchoring effect
     • Minimize answering inapplicable questions
       • filter questions
       • Branch questions
   • Determine physical characteristics
   • Pretest the questionnaire
     • uncover problems questionnaire may cause
     • determine following sampling instructions
     • determine if the procedure is efficient
     • estimate response rate for mail surveys
     • estimate completion rate for telephone surveys